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- Tasks: Prepare and serve nutritious meals for students in a vibrant school setting.
- Company: Join Grove Road School, a specialist institution dedicated to supporting diverse student needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, Christmas bonuses, and discounts on dining and attractions.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values your contributions and promotes student wellbeing.
- Qualifications: 2 years of cooking experience in a school or similar environment required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours during term time and opportunities for professional development.
Location: Grove Road, Sutton
Hours: 25 hours per week – term time only
We are seeking a reliable and experienced School Cook to join our team at Grove Road School based in Sutton. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and serving meals to students and staff in a busy school environment.
Grove Road School is an independent specialist day school providing high-quality education for boys and girls. Based in Sutton, the school meets the diverse needs of pupils aged 11-19 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism. Every day, our staff create a calm, welcoming environment for our students where they feel accepted, heard, and valued.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and prepare daily meals and specials, taking into account dietary requirements and food allergies
- Maintain inventory of food and supplies, ordering as necessary
- Ensure that the kitchen and equipment are kept clean and well-maintained at all times
- Work with the school nutritionist to ensure that meals meet nutritional guidelines
- Monitor food temperatures to ensure safe food handling practices are followed
- Assist with the setup and clean-up of the lunchroom
Requirements:
- At least 2 years' experience as a cook in a school or similar setting
- Knowledge of safe food handling practices and regulations
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow recipes and instructions
How you’ll be rewarded:
- Real Living Wage employer
- Competitive pay rates
- Christmas bonus
- Blue Light Card
- Colleague referral scheme with cash rewards – earn up to £2500 per referral!
- Financial wellbeing service
- Life Assurance
- Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave
- Tastecard - spectacular savings on dining, pizza, cinema tickets, supermarkets, and UK attractions!
- Opportunity to progress in your career through our Education Academy, and ongoing training and professional development.
- Comprehensive and tailored induction programme including face-to-face training, online modules, shadowing, and local induction period.
- Face-to-face therapeutic training and support for all colleagues via our SHINE programme.
- Access to a wide range of free online courses for all colleagues on a variety of topics
- Employee assistance programme
- Community and wellbeing - Your wellbeing matters to us, and we are committed to ensuring you get all the support you need to feel good about what you do.
- Supportive management and senior leaders.
- High quality CPD opportunities.
- Free eye checks.
To start your journey with Horizon, apply now!
Horizon Care and Education is committed to its employees, values the needs of our employees and the people we support. We recognise the need to recruit, retain and develop highly skilled staff, so we are committed to attracting and retaining talent who align with our values, vision & mission statement. We value diversity, equality, and inclusion, offering equal opportunities to all individuals interested in joining our organisation.
Candidates who meet the minimum required criteria of the person specification will be guaranteed an interview under the disability confident employer scheme. During your application process, you will be asked to complete an application form which will be used through your recruitment assessment and onboarding journey. Please outline any reasonable adjustments that can be made to support your application and assessment process.
We are committed to safeguarding, the standards of safer recruitment defined under Keeping Children Safe in Education, and enabling a safe culture; a culture that ensures that our employees and the young people in our care and education are safeguarded and receive the right support that meets their individual needs. We promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all employees, all visitors of Horizon and partner organisations who support us to share this commitment.
Closing date for this role will be 7th June but we will interview upon receipt of suitable CVs.
School Cook (Grove Road School - Sutton) employer: Horizon Care and Education
Contact Detail:
Horizon Care and Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Cook (Grove Road School - Sutton)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and food allergies that are common in school settings. This knowledge will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your commitment to student safety and well-being.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed busy meal times. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Grove Road School and its values, especially regarding their focus on Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Tailor your conversation to reflect how your cooking can contribute to creating a welcoming environment for students.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions about the school's approach to nutrition and meal planning. This shows your genuine interest in the role and allows you to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level, highlighting your proactive attitude.
We think you need these skills to ace School Cook (Grove Road School - Sutton)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the School Cook position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in preparing meals, managing kitchen inventory, and adhering to food safety regulations.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your previous cooking experience, especially in a school or similar environment. Mention specific examples of how you have catered to dietary requirements and maintained high standards of food safety.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and your attention to detail. Include any certifications related to food handling or nutrition that may set you apart from other candidates.
Personalise Your Application: Make sure to personalise your cover letter by addressing it to the hiring manager if possible. Express your enthusiasm for the role and the values of Grove Road School, showing that you align with their mission to support students with SEMH needs and Autism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Care and Education
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you would be preparing at Grove Road School. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to dietary requirements and food allergies, as this is crucial in a school environment.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Make sure to emphasise your previous experience as a cook in a school or similar setting. Share specific examples of how you've managed kitchen operations, maintained cleanliness, and followed safe food handling practices.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working in a busy school environment, it's important to show that you can work well with others. Discuss any past experiences where you collaborated with colleagues or worked under pressure to meet deadlines.
✨Show Passion for Nutrition
Express your understanding of nutritional guidelines and your commitment to providing healthy meals. You might want to mention any relevant training or courses you've completed that relate to nutrition and meal planning.
